York Public Library extends hours

YORK, Maine — A decision by the York Public Library to expand its evening hours has received an overwhelmingly positive response even prior to the new times taking effect, according to Director Robert Waldman.

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By Susan Morse

seacoastonline.com

By Susan Morse

Posted Jan. 8, 2014 at 2:00 AM

By Susan Morse
Posted Jan. 8, 2014 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

YORK, Maine — A decision by the York Public Library to expand its evening hours has received an overwhelmingly positive response even prior to the new times taking effect, according to Director Robert Waldman.

Starting Jan. 14, the library will be open two additional evenings until 7 p.m.

The feedback, Waldman said Tuesday, has "been unbelievable. It's been somewhat overwhelming because it hasn't started."

The library's new hours will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The library is currently open until 7 p.m. Tuesdays only.

"Families now can come after dinner," Waldman said. "Students have so many after-school activities, and working people, too. It allows people after work to stop in. This is really going to provide them the opportunity to pick up materials."

The trend locally and nationally is that people are doing more borrowing from libraries, he said.

York patrons have long wanted the library to remain open later, according to Waldman.

This past year, a way was found to meet that request without increasing the bottom line, he said.

A full-time staff position that was already budgeted was filled Nov. 1 by Theo Kontos, who specializes in computers and technology, Waldman said. The full-time position was formerly filled by several part-time staffers. When part-time employee Julie Eneman, who specialized in children's services, left in August, Waldman made the decision to hire someone full time.

Current employees also changed their schedules to staff the longer hours, he said.

"There will be no increase in the budget directly related to this," Waldman said. "We're so excited. We've been perched and waiting for such a long time to be able to provide this service."